Health chief calls for everyone to play part to stop spread of coronavirus in Nottinghamshire

Current figures show 49 new positive cases of Covid-19 in Nottinghamshire County in the last seven days, up from 36 cases in the previous seven days.

Now Director of Public Health in Nottinghamshire, Jonathan Gribbin, is calling for everyone to remain vigilant and follow guidance to prevent Covid-19 rising further.

As well as continuing to wash hands, keeping socially distant and getting a free test for symptoms, people who have to share a car to get to work should be careful to use face coverings and to clean car surfaces at the end of the journey.

Families and friends from different households should also follow guidance when meeting in enclosed places, usually in the home, as this is leading to the spread into

other areas such as workplaces.

Jonathan Gribbin, Director of Public Health in Nottinghamshire, said: “Rates of Covid-19 were decreasing in Nottinghamshire.

"But that is no longer the case and it is causing us some concern.

"Covid-19 has not gone away and what we are seeing now is an increase in new cases.

"If we do nothing, eventually we could see Covid-19 cases returning in a way which impacts local jobs and schools, and threatens our friends and families.

"We can avoid that happening.

"To do so we need everyone to play their part – individuals, friends, households, businesses.

"We are asking you to help by following all the precautions when you interact with anyone outside your family or household bubble.

"If we take action now, we can slow the spread of the virus and find a better way through the months ahead.”

There are also new rules on face coverings from Saturday, August 9.

The places where people will have to wear a face covering will be expanded to include funeral directors, cinemas, museums, theatres and bingo halls.

The public health director has also stated that those travelling by car should only do so with people from their household or within their support bubble, or if this is a work requirement.

Outside of this, people should avoid sharing cars with others.

People are also asked to continue to keep within family ‘bubbles’ in their own homes.

At all times, it is important to maintain social distancing from people you do not live with to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

You should only have close contact with people outside of your household if you are in a support bubble with them.

New rules on face coverings from Saturday, August 8.

Where you must wear a face covering:

Funeral directors

Premises providing professional, legal or financial services

Cinemas

Theatres

Bingo halls

Concert halls

Museums, galleries, aquariums, indoor zoos or visitor farms, or other indoor tourist, heritage or cultural sites.

Nail, beauty, hair salons and barbers - other than where necessary to remove

for treatments

Massage parlours

Public areas in hotels and hostels

Places of worship

Libraries and public reading rooms

Community centres

Social clubs

Tattoo and piercing parlours

Indoor entertainment venues (amusement arcades, funfairs, adventure activities e.g. laser quest, go-karting, escape rooms, heritage sites etc.)

Storage and distribution facilities

Veterinary services

Auction houses

People are also strongly encouraged to wear a face covering in other enclosed public spaces where social distancing may be difficult and where people come into contact with people they do not normally meet.